Running for a cause couldn't get any better

26.22 miles in the cold, wet rain wasn't exactly how Amanda Burns pictured her Boston Marathon experience, but it couldn't have been any more perfect.
The Akron resident, and mother of two, began her journey to the Boston Marathon last fall after applying for one of four charity spots to run the race representing Wake Up Narcolepsy. After the selection process and being chosen as one of the runners, Burns now was tasked with raising at least $7,500 to go all toward researching narcolepsy.
Raising awareness for the disease was something that Burns did with pride. At the age of 12, her daughter, Allyssa, now 18, was diagnosed with narcolepsy. With several organizations now taking it upon themselves to bring awareness and find more manageable ways to cope, Burns found running the Boston Marathon the perfect opportunity to help with the cause.
Burns arrived in Boston last Sunday, where she met the rest of the Wake Up Narcolepsy team for the first time. Team members ranged from California, to Colorado, to Boston and even Canada. The Wake Up Narcolepsy co-founders, David and Monica Gow, were on-hand to welcome the marathon team at the special dinner.
Monday's race day brought along cold, wet weather. Burns rode from her hotel by the airport into the city for the race, which brings people from all over the world and walks of life.
"On the bus on our way to the start line I saw next to a lady from Portugal.

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She was 58-years-old and in the process of running the five majors, the biggest five marathon races in the world," Burns said.
Participants were taken to runner's village where giant tens, porta-potties and snacks were available. But, it was raining so hard that everything was a giant mud pit.
"Luckily, I was forewarned before I even left from Colorado to take extra shoes and socks because the weather was predicted to be so bad," she added.
From runner's village, the huge group walked about a half-mile to the start line and another holding area, which is where Burns changed into her extra sweats, sweatshirt and shoes.
"Some people made the mistake and changed too early and were already soaked by the time we got there," Burns commented.
Usually, a start gun signifies the beginning of the race, but with the weather so terrible, they just told everyone to go. Burns' wave consisted of all charity runners.
"I didn't even realize I had cross the start line," she laughed.
From the very beginning, the crowds were absolutely incredible.
"It's just amazing how many people still came out when the weather was so bad. People made you feel so special that you're accomplishing this goal. It was an incredible feeling to be surrounded by people running for a cause. The crowd really carried you through. The weather was awful, but bearable, and you just felt like a super hero," Burns said.
Coming in to the finish line, Burns said it was a sea of ponchos that runners had shed as they neared the end. Shortly from the finish line, one man couldn't go any further and fell down right in front of her.
"That kind of stuff is heartbreaking. 1,202 people who started the race just couldn't finish," she said.
Others were simply inspirational.
"One woman suffering from leukemia couldn't keep going. With her living in Boston, her family took her home to warm her up and later back to the race course. She crossed the finish line at midnight," Burns highlighted.
After finishing the race in 5:00:40, the rain continued to pour and Burns couldn't quit shaking. She began asking volunteers for help finding the family meeting area, but was instead immediately taken to medical to warm up. The Gow's had arranged for the Wake Up Narcolepsy team to be able to shower at an athletic club near the race finish, and then those who were able to from the team met for dinner that evening.
With marathon number three now under her belt, Burns says she doesn't know that she ever want to run another one, but Wake Up Narcolepsy has asker her to stay involved. She says she's not sure what that'll bring, she could be back in Boston next year, but maybe more as a supporter.
For this year, Burns amazingly finished as the top supporter on the Wake Up Narcolepsy team with $14,326 raised of the teams' total $56,050.
"With a majority of my funds raised coming from our area, I feel like that's pretty cool. It's special to know that many people supported a national cause," she said.
"I think about everyone here at home who got narcolepsy on the map. It makes a huge difference and gives a new perspective of the world and knowing there is kindness out there. Wake Up Narcolepsy is a great non-profit. Hopefully, there can begin some competition of other pharmacies to help give people options with their medication. It drives me to do more when I think about Allyssa's future and that maybe she'll be able to afford the medicine. My main goal is to get the word out. It's a pretty small community when you get to know everyone. It's really just lots of people with big hearts," Burns finished.